Many students will go on to develop careers as professional engineers, some with a strong emphasis on building a more sustainable future.

Opportunities for engineers are widespread, well rewarded and global in nature – young engineers use their knowledge to develop new technologies and solve challenging problems. With the right skills engineers become team and project leaders and ultimately rise to the top of local and multi-national companies. This is a key reason why our entrepreneurial programme is embedded within our curriculum and why exposure to the working environment is so important. Equally other students will be able to build successful careers in completely different areas of work – including using the entrepreneurial skills they have learned with us to help them set up their own businesses.

Progression to employment

By working alongside employers students learn about the skills and qualities that businesses value. Work experience and challenge projects give them the opportunity to develop these skills, get feedback from employers and establish their credentials as a future employee. They will have gained first-hand experience of real careers in engineering, particularly in the fields of environmental and marine engineering. This will give them a real advantage when applying for a job in a sector that really motivates them.

Progression to Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships

Today’s workplace is defined by employees with highly specialised technical skill sets. Even though our students will have followed a specialised curriculum it is likely that they will need further training to be fully ‘employer ready’ to fulfil particular job roles. Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships are designed to do just that. They represent a key link between education and employment in many technical areas. Working and studying side by side underpins Apprenticeships. Continuously updating skills is a fundamental element of a successful career in our rapidly changing technological world – Apprenticeships support a mindset to do this.

Progression to university

The A levels we offer provide the ideal combination of subjects for progression to university to study a wide range of engineering specialisms, mathematics (including accountancy and actuarial science), computing and programming, and the sciences. If for example a student is considering a career in the field of medicine, doctors now rely on highly technical electronic equipment both in the field of diagnosis and surgical treatment to do their jobs. The subjects we offer provide a progression route for students aspiring to medical careers.

Even if a student is considering a career in a field that does not require the study of particular A levels, the subjects we offer are highly valued by universities and can enhance your chance of a career in, for example, law. Hands-on experience of business and industry at the UTC will be a major advantage if a student chose to take a business-related degree.

Employer soundbite:

“As the leading recycling and waste management company both nationally and regionally, we are excited by the prospect of the UTC and proud to be the lead-employer sponsor of this innovative, educational facility. We are looking forward to helping develop skilled and qualified employees of the future.”

What is a UTC?

University Technical Colleges (UTCs) teach students technical and scientific subjects to educate the inventors, engineers, scientists and technicians of tomorrow. At UTC@harbourside our focus is on engineering, a real interest in the environment and in creating a sustainable future. The UTC works with leading employers to give students who are motivated by science, maths and computing the real skills and qualifications they need to succeed in the workplace, at university and beyond.